So I just went to update the firmware on my Apple TV 2. The process was very straight forward, looking very similar to doing an iPhone firmware update. Unfortunately it failed and my sleek little media streamer is now a sleek little white led flashing device. It's rather disturbing to see that big "plug this thing into itunes!" symbol on your TV screen.
Ok, so the firmware update failed, no big deal. Maybe that's why apple makes you connect iPhones for an iOS update rather than doing over the air (even over wifi) updates. I thought I'd just plug it into iTunes, the new firmware would download and away I'd go. Not too much of a problem. (Though I guess I'll need to drag the power cable out from behind my TV as well, sigh...)
Now here's the really unfortunate bit, which Apple should be held accountable for. They've chosen to put a micro usb socket on the Apple TV. I've got no problem with them choosing the latest and greatest connector version - by all accounts the micro usb design is more durable than the much more common mini usb. (Though I'd hope I don't need to plug my Apple TV into a usb connection enough for durability to be an issue!) But micro usb is still in it's very early stages. I don't have any other devices that require a micro usb cable. I'd expect that many people don't. There's certainly nothing else in the Apple ecosystem that needs one. Yet Apple didn't see fit to include one in the box.
That's incredibly galling. It means I've got a (temporarily) bricked device with no way of recovering it until I can get to the store and buy a cheap usb cable. Way to fail, Apple.
For those interested, my Apple TV connects to the internet via 802.11n from an Airport Extreme, running with WPA encryption. I've seen some anecdotal evidence which states that the firmware update is more likely to fail over WiFi. I'd recommend you don't attempt the update until you've got a cable on hand, just in case.
UPDATE: Once I got a micro usb cable and plugged the Apple TV into iTunes the update went fine. All updates since this one (up to 4.3.1 at the minute) have, thankfully, worked via wireless.
Showing posts with label Apple TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple TV. Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
New Mac Mini
So it seems Apple have finally gotten around to refreshing the mac mini, case and all. About time really. Not that there's anything wrong with the original design - I've still got a G4 ticking away as a home "server", it's a great little form factor. I suppose that Apple wanted all the WWDC coverage to focus on the iPhone, but I still find it amazing that they passed up the opportunity to release this a week earlier and grab some extra press. I'm not sure if any other companies would be able to show that level of restraint.
Making the new computer even smaller though has to be a good thing, providing that Apple haven't messed up the thermal footprint. I've seen a few blog posts comparing it in size to the Apple TV. Given that mini now has HDMI out it's a fair comparison to make, and surely a revised Apple TV with HDMI out can't be far away either. It is small too, no doubt about it - I was comparing the dimensions to a Wii I've got nestled nicely beneath my TV and it'd make the Wii look bulky. Having an integrated power supply is a massive improvement as well - again, providing Apple have the thermals worked out.
However there's a definite downside to the new sizing - it's not just shorter as I originally thought from the images. It's gotten wider. Pffft. No longer will the mac mini and Airport Extreme make a neat little hardware stack.
If there was a new wireless standard floating around I'd be betting Apple had a revised router on the way as well, but there's not.... It seems a little clumsy and unlike Apple's usual attention to detail. Yes, I know it's now the same size as the Apple TV, but how many people stacked a Mini & ATV together? Though I suppose the argument can be made that the all plastic router has never looked like a fantastic match with the mostly metal Mini.
Still it seems with the new form factor that Apple is giving a definite hint to Apple TV owners looking for an upgrade - this little box will do everything you asked for in an upgraded ATV. Shame about the price.
Making the new computer even smaller though has to be a good thing, providing that Apple haven't messed up the thermal footprint. I've seen a few blog posts comparing it in size to the Apple TV. Given that mini now has HDMI out it's a fair comparison to make, and surely a revised Apple TV with HDMI out can't be far away either. It is small too, no doubt about it - I was comparing the dimensions to a Wii I've got nestled nicely beneath my TV and it'd make the Wii look bulky. Having an integrated power supply is a massive improvement as well - again, providing Apple have the thermals worked out.
However there's a definite downside to the new sizing - it's not just shorter as I originally thought from the images. It's gotten wider. Pffft. No longer will the mac mini and Airport Extreme make a neat little hardware stack.
If there was a new wireless standard floating around I'd be betting Apple had a revised router on the way as well, but there's not.... It seems a little clumsy and unlike Apple's usual attention to detail. Yes, I know it's now the same size as the Apple TV, but how many people stacked a Mini & ATV together? Though I suppose the argument can be made that the all plastic router has never looked like a fantastic match with the mostly metal Mini.
Still it seems with the new form factor that Apple is giving a definite hint to Apple TV owners looking for an upgrade - this little box will do everything you asked for in an upgraded ATV. Shame about the price.
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